REU: Evolutionary Genetics and Dysgenesis in a Naturally Occurring Hybrid Zone in Peromyscus leucopus

德克萨斯理工大学（Texas Tech University）的罗伯特·贝克（Robert Baker）博士正在对白足鹿鼠（Peromyscus leucopis）的两个染色体种族或亚种之间的杂交区进行多方面的研究，重点是杂交发育不良。初步数据表明，在杂交区，DNA含量的变化和染色体畸变的频率增加。这项研究的一个目标是确定这种发育不良的遗传基础。这将通过在实验室进行控制遗传杂交，并将这些杂交后代的发育不良情况与自然种群的发育不良情况进行比较来完成。K18和mys两种DNA序列的分布也将在亲本和杂交动物中进行检测。Mys是逆转录病毒样的转座元件，k18是与染色体异色区相关的卫星DNA。Baker博士假设DNA含量变异、染色体畸变以及mys和k18序列的基因组分布变化之间存在关系，所有这些都是由杂交发育不良引起的。这项研究将为新物种形成时发生的遗传变化提供见解。

Dr. Robert Baker, at Texas Tech University, is undertaking a multi-faceted study of a hybrid zone between two chromosomal races or subspecies of the white-footed deer mouse, Peromyscus leucopis, focused on hybrid dysgenesis. Preliminary data indicate that variation in DNA content and frequency of chromosomal aberrations is heightened in the hybrid zone. A goal of the research is to determine the genetic basis of this dysgenesis. This will be accomplished by controlled genetic crosses in the laboratory and the comparison of measures of dysgenesis between the progeny of these crosses and measures made in naturally occurring populations. The distribution of two DNA sequences, K18 and mys will also be examined in parental and hybrid animals. Mys is a retrovirus-like transposable element and k18 is a satellite DNA associated with heterochromatic regions of chromosomes. Dr. Baker hypothesizes a relationship between DNA content variation, chromosomal aberrations, and changes in the genomic distributions of mys and k18 sequences, all resulting from hybrid dysgenesis. This study will provide insight to the genetic changes that occur as new species are formed.